Kohls Department Store sells a line of organic cotton sheets and towels. They have no chemicals.

Second-hand sheets come with their own problems ... most of the time people use fabric softener on them or fragranced detergents. I've had a hard time getting these odors out even with lots of washings, using vinegar, baking soda, zeolite, borax, a lot of things. Sometimes the smell comes out of the cotton fabric but seems to be trapped in the elastic or other synthetic materials. Sometimes drying dry fabric items in the dryer before you wash them and on high for an hour or more works, but short of leaving them hanging in the sun until they're at least faded to practically ruined I haven't come up with a good solution to this problem. Any ideas about this?

I've bought several cotton things lately--blankets and sheets in particular--the sheets at Costco--not organic and they've all had a smell but I think it's been the plastic coverings they come in because I just air them out during the day--outside--then soak for an hour in OxiMagic, run through the washer, dry and they're fine.

Do you know where the sheets were made? I travelled a lot in India / Nepal a long time ago and things sent to wash often came back smelling like gasoline - I think they dryclean them using old drycleaning technology which is petroleum based. If they were made in a less technologically advanced country that may be the reason. If that's the case, as you're trying to get rid of a solvent from your sheets, you'll probably need to wash them more than once. Good luck.

In Canada, all fabrics and furniture at Ikea are organic and without the high price that organic usually costs. We had the same trouble with not being able to wash out the chemicals from Sears sheets, but found that one washing from Ikea was all that was needed and we are extremely sensitive to chemicals.

I've found that whole milk has worked better at getting scents out of fabrics than anything else I've tried. I usually put a cup or more to a wash load. If the milk smell lingers after the clothes are washed, just wash the load again without milk, using baking soda or vinegar.
For stubborn scents, soak overnight in milk, adding peroxide to prevent souring or mildew. Good luck! Dorothy, Massachusetts

I have chemical sensitivities. I cannot for the life of me find a new or old blanket for my bed which doesn't make me sick. I've been to every store out there and even used clothing stores. You're right that the detergents and softeners also have a chemical/perfumey odor which is impossible to wash out. That's if the used blanket doesn't smell moldy.

They call it a "reactive dye" which is now recently used to tint even the white fabrics. It's totally unnecessary. But it does cause us to keep buying more and more of those products. So the powerful manufacturers are well aware of what they're doing. And they're doing it on purpose.

What do we do now?

If anyone hears of a brand that is odorless, please let me know.

Wow thanks for all the great responses and information. I bought the sheets from Linen's N Things in Canada. The sheets were made in Pakistan. Funny because I bought two sets of flannel sheets. The one that smells the worst has bright colours with lots of stripes. The other set was a plain white flannel with green lines in it. It no longer smells but the colourful one does. I might try taking it back to Linen's N Things for a refund.

We too have new flannel sheets that have a strong petrochemical smell. Made in Pakistan, they are very heavy weave Martha Stewart brand. After washing and sun drying twice they still smell. They are going back to Macys!

I bought the Martha Stewart Collection of flannel sheets in Grand Florentine pattern and could NOT use them! They smelled so badly of gasoline or a petroleum product odor. I washed them three times and finally had to return them to Macy's. I've used flannel sheets every winter for years and years. This is the first time I've had to return any because of a petrochemical smell. They were made in Pakistan.

Hi Debra,

I live near Brisbane, Australia and would like to comment on both "New Flannel Sheets Smell Like Gasoline After Washing" and "Pesticide residues in fabrics".

I was advised by a fabric retailer that the majority of new clothing, manchester and fabrics are treated with a variety of chemicals after their manufacture and prior to their wholesale. These include chemicals to prevent creasing, insect infestations (pesticides) and mold inhibitors (fungicides). One chemical specifically is Formaldehyde which is used as a fabric sizing resin for crease resistant clothes (it makes fibres wrinkle resistant, water resistant, dye fast, flame resistant, shrink proof, moth proof and more elastic) and is used on cotton, rayon, rayon-acetate blends, shrinkproof wool, polyester, artificial silk and bed linens. It can also be found in fabric conditioners and softeners.

Some clothing packaging and labelling carry the caution to ensure to wash clothing prior to wearing - that in itself should set the warning bells ringing!

Recently I bought my rapidly growing 11 year old daughter new clothing (mainly cotton, some cotton blends) at several different stores and carrying several different labels. They ALL had a nasty chemical stench once they became wet. I had to soak and re-wash several times and finally gave them all a rinse with a splash of lavender solution. The second hand items I bought needed no such treatment just a normal wash.

I purchased some cotton lawn nightgowns, la cera, made in India, and when washed for the first couple of times they smelled like gasoline. My washer and dryer smelled horrible. I called the first company from whom I bought the nightgowns and was told that in India the cotton is dipped in kerosene but was told the smell would go away. I returned the nightgowns and then ordered similar nightgowns from another company not knowing I was purchasing the exact same nightgown. The same thing happened during washing. But the second company did not allow returns after washing the product. I am glad that people can share info like this because I was about to order organic flannel made in India, very expensive, and I am not so sure now. Thank you.

Last year I bought "footies" online from a popular mall fragrance store that we all know.... when they came in they smelled like gasoline! I washed them several times and they still had that odor albeit only slightly less. I wondered if they were made in China? I wondered if they were "gassed" in shipping? I've bought dish towels lately that are coated with something that prohibits them from absorbing - which is why you buy them! The towels can be washed up-teen times and then they are more "normal". I live in a rural area and have few choices in shopping but - Buyer Beware! It's getting crazy out there.

I think those of us who have purchased these god awefull sheets from Martha Stewart collection< mine from Macys should write to the company.

If the end product smalls like gas, petroleum after 4 washings and drying can you imagine the environmental.polluting and workers situation?

I'd write Martha Stewart and tell her. Write Macys but also Martha at her show or whatever contact you can get online. You know that she doesn't use linens that smell of gasoline!

I washed my few clothes and linens carefully before moving. When they arrived they smelled of gasoline. I can't use the family washer and can't get the stuff out by hand.

Before I had MCS I enjoyed my linens and towels.They were all cotton, but now I can use only a few old, grayish sheets because of chemical sensitivity.I had a trunk full of sweaters and linens which I used not for storage but everyday use. Now I can't touch them because it burns by fingers and lungs. About
40 years ago there must have been mothballs in there. But for the 30 years I had it I never noticed any problem

Aaah, the mystery is solved. I could not figure out why my recently purchased "Made in India" organic sheets, smelled so bad. I washed them 4 times in hot water, laundry soap and baking soda. They still STINK and I cannot use them. I now realize that I have to be even more vigilant regarding my purchases. Unfortunately, organic is not a guarantee of safety. Thanks for all the valuable information.

I also just bought Martha Stewart brand flannel winter sheets. I loved them because they were so cute and soft but they ABSOLUTELY STINK VERY STRONG like gasoline and other chemicals!!

I would not buy these. I am not very sensitive to these types of odors and neither I nor my boyfriend could stand the smell of them from many feet away!!

We should all write to the company, definitely. I too purchased mine at Macy's. They were very nice about returning them but gave me no information as to why my brand new expensive sheets smelled like a gasoline factory! I am VERY DISAPPOINTED!
:(

Glad I am not the only one who has this problem. I also have bought cotton items, flannel sheets, blankets, shower curtains that smelled like gasoline or other toxic chemicals. They were from Penneys, Walmart, Kohls, and Marshalls.

If I smell that odor I do not even bother washing them.

I am now looking for only Made in the USA.

I just bought the Martha Stewart collection duvet 100% flanel cotton sheets and yes they stink they smell like gasoline and i am having a hard time believing that they are 100% cotton; because when i took them out of the dryer they popped with a lot of static electricity. i have never had that happen with 100% cotton. i bought this duvet at Macys. Personally as a consumer i am getting fed up with these companies selling shoddy goods. Besides it is not like they are inexpensive.

i bought towels at Mervyns last year and they too had lots of static and did not absorb water like good cotton towels; well it turned out they had a mix cotton that was not clearly written on the fabric content label and the store would not refund my money, because i had washed them! It is unexcuseable that these big stores are not made to be honest and also the manufaturers as well. it is an outrage that you spend your hard earned money expecting these products to be what they say they are and yet they are shoddy. i resent having to waste my time in the washing the drying and then having to take the time to return them to these stores. luckly Macys has a good return policy (although we will see i have not taken the duvet back yet) which is more than i can say for Mervyns.

Martha Stewart should be checking out what kind of junk is being put out with her name on it. i for one will never buy anything with her name on it again. i plan to write a letter to her company too. then we will see.

you would think a consumer or a group of us could get together and make these big stores wake up and protect their patrons. i am sure that there are laws covering fraud. If a fabric lists that it is cotton 100% and it is not someone should be lible.

There was a woman that said the sheets made her child sick; lord knows what kind of junk they are putting into and on our fabrics. it is outrageous. when are we going to say and do somthing about all of this?

eileen

I bought a set of sheets from Rose's that was made in China. After five washings, they still smell! They also feel somewhat stiff. I'll try the washing in milk idea that I saw here; I've already tried washing soda and vinegar. The package is marked "St. Moritz Home Fashions." Guess I should stick to made in USA; I didn't see the Made in China line in the store.

My mom gave me white cotton sheets from Pakistan and they had the same smell. My husband thinks I'm nuts, but I refuse to use them. I have washed them several times and they still smell. I also bought black jeans from Carter's for my son, made in Indonesia, with a similar smell, he will never wear them. I agree sometimes it can be outgassing from packaging when something is packaged in plastic and the smell usually goes away. Use your intuition on these things, and common sense. If something doesn't seem right, error on the side of caution. I too have been searching for USA made products.

Dear Debra,

You asked me what you think we can do as consumers; well for one thing we can write to the store (Macys) and to the manufacter (in my case Martha Stewart) and tell them to make good on selling shoddy products and if they do not do right by us; we should boycot their products and be loud about it.

i also am trying to research if their is a consumer fraud group that looks into things like this. i am also going to contact my local television news station, because they look into things like this. like i said before it is outrageous that people are saying things like; i will try washing these contaminated sheets in milk after they already tried washing them with regular soap several times. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO THAT! it starts feeling like we are just laying down while they rob us blind.

If we buy goods at a reputable stores they should sell goods that are GOOD for crying out loud. i just read that lipstick may have things like lead in it and the cosmetic companies are not required to list what is in lipstick! How crazy is that!

does no one have to take resposibilty for what they sell anymore? it is obvious that we as consumers have to group together and say "we are not going to take this anymore".

we work hard for our money and WE SHOULD EXPECT to be able to buy things that are what they say they are and we should demand that they are safe to use.
thank you for your time.
sincerely, eileen

The martha stewert printed flannel sheets were recalled... Take them back!!

For those of you who had a bad experience buying Martha Stewart flannel sheets at Macy's - my husband and I thought we'd give them a try anyway (maybe they aren't all bad?). My husband went to Macy's, and got to the cash register with his choice, and the clerk said that she couldn't sell them, that they were all being recalled, and they'd be dismantling the display asap.

I saw Martha Stewart on her own show, displaying her whole new line of flannel sheets at Macy's, and telling which ones she was going to have on her own bed (red snowflakes). I can only imagine what happened when SHE found out that they smelled bad! Phew!

Anyway, if you got smelly Martha Stewart sheets at Macy's, you might give them a day or two to get it all figured out, then contact them about how to get a refund.

I agree with Debra. I also buy less but the better quality. For years now I have been sleeping in white 100% linnen sheets, made in Europe. They never smelled badly and I learned that flax is a very robust plant so even when grown conventially you don't need a lot of pestizids to grow it. As I never have more than two sets per bed it is not so expensive as you might think.

I just took some brand new (and very expensive) cotton flannel pajamas out of the wash, and they have a very nasty, industrial chemical smell to them. It's really strong and just horrible! They didn't smell at all before I washed them. They are Munki Munki brand, made in Pakistan. They were a gift, and absolutely adorable with little gnomes on them, but I'm completely freaked out by the way they smell. Does anyone know, if the smell comes out, is the chemical gone too?

Here is an idea....the political organizations as well as humanitarian organizations, ecological organizations, wildlife orgs, etc. all have websites designed to pick up comments, sign petitions, deliver them in huge quantity to the offending party(s). IT WORKS...IT CHANGES LAWS (NOT ALWAYS, BUT MORE OFTEN THAN IF WE DID NOTHING.)

oR GET mICHAEL mOORE TO MAKE A MOVIE!!!!!

SERIOUSLY, LET'S GET A PETITION SITE GOING THAT CAN AIM AT COMPANIES THAT SELL THIS STUFF.

MARTHA STEWART MIGHT BE A START....SHE HAS THINGS AT KMART AND I THINK MACY'S. SHE PROBABLY DOESN'T WANT THIS TYPE OF THING TO HAPPEN....SEE ABOVE COMMENT WHERE A PERSON WAS UNABLE TO BUY HER SHEETS (OR WAS IT A BLANKET) BE CAUSE THEY WERE ON A RECALL.

ALSO WE MIGHT BLANKET THE COMPANY THAT REFUSED TO TAKE THEM BACK AFTER WASHING....MOST COMPANIES....FOR SANITARY REASONS*********WANT YOU TO WASH BEFORE RETURNING!!!!!!!!!

WITH THE COMPUTER, WE HAVE PEOPLE POWER!!!!!!!!!!!

IT'S NO LONGER A SELECT FEW THAT EFFECT OUR LIVING STANDARDS.

WHILE ON THAT SUBJECT, LET'S NIP A BIT AT THE NICE SMALL COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN MAKING ORGANIC SUPPLIES AVAILABLE TO US FOR 20 OR SO YEARS.

TRUTH IS, MOST OF US HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BUY ONLY A FEW OF THESE THINGS DUE TO THE PRICE....MAYBE WE SHOULD SUGGEST THEY FORM A CO-OP SORT OF ARRANGEMENT WHERE THEY COULD BUY A BIT CHEAPER AND SUPPLY US A BIT CHEAPER....EVERYBODY WINS AS WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MORE ORGANIC BEING PRODUCED IN THE US....AND KEEP AN EYE ON WHAT EXACTLY WE ARE GETTING FOR OUR DOLLAR.

i'M NOT SURE, BUT i THINK THIS MIGHT MAKE CERTIFICATION EASIER AND CHEAPER FOR THEM, FURTHERING OUR ABILITY TO BUY MORE ORGANIC IN THE US, MADE IN THE US PRODUCTS. iT'S NOT HOW MUCH SOMEONE CAN CHARGE FOR THINGS, BUT HOW MANY TIMES IN A YEAR THAT MONEY GETS OUT THERE TO PURCHASE MAKING JOBS SO THAT MONEY CAN GET OUT THERE TO PURCHASE TIME AND TIME AGAIN. WITH PRICES TOO HIGH, THIS ROUND ABOUT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

iT'S ABOUT TIME WE BROUGHT PRODUCTION BACK TO THE US SO WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE WITHOUT JOBS, STINKY SPRAYS ON OUR COTTONS....PERHAPS TO KEEP BUGS OFF THE PRODUCT SO IT DOESN'T GET REJECTED?????AT THE WARF????

PEOPLE PRETTY MUCH NOW KNOW ORGANIC IS BETTER...IT'S TIME WE ORGANIZED AND USED OUR PEOPLE POWER....WHAT BETTER TIME...IT IS OUR WINDOW OF OPORTUNITY....AND A WIN WIN FOR ALL AMERICANS.

I recently found an EXCELLENT source for organic linens that I'd like to share with everyone. There is a USA-based catalog company in La Crosse, Wisconsin called The Company Store. You can find them at:

www.thecompanystore.com

We purchased their organic cotton flannel sheets, and we are in heaven! The sheets are heavyweight and incredibly soft. And absolutely NO smells of any kind - just restful sleep. Not everything in the catalog is organic, but everything is US made. Check it out and good luck to you.

I have bought several flannel sheets from LLBean over, I'd say, the last ten years. I wash before using and have never noticed any odors at all. I'm MCS and if there were anything in these sheets I'd certainly be aware of it. All of the tales of woe really surprise me.

I always buy one pair of sheets, either organic or egyptian cotton, white or off white color. There are places in the u.s. where you can buy such items. I just use the same set for each bed, take it off, wash it and put it back on. I would not even experiment with Department store sheets if you don't have too. Those are not safe that smell like chemicals and petrol. As far as removing smells, baking soda alone doesn't work. Especially not for 2nd hand anythng. I use a mix of powdered dry milk, baking soda, and cetaphil liquid cleanser (for some reason it seems to help!) Sometimes it takes a 2-3 of days of soaking to remove fabric softener smells which are bad. I soak in a bucket rather than the washing machine.

I purchased organic cotton flannel sheets from www.gaiam.com. They are wonderful, they wash well, and have no odor, etc.

I, too, purchased flannel sheets from macy's today. Tonight, my whole house stinks like a gasoline station. I just wrote to Martha's website at mslletters@marthastewart.com...

Dear Customer Relations,

I have no idea if I am emailing the right place, but I am experiencing a problem with a Martha Stewart product that seriously needs attention.

Earlier today, I purchased a set of M.S. flannel sheets at Macy's. I was very excited to find a stylish pattern in such a seemingly thick and comfortable fabric. Tonight, I placed these in the washer with Mrs. Myer's laundry detergent (a natural product with essential oils- not a bunch of chemicals) and almost immediately began to feel ill. At first, I thought my furnace was producing a strange odor, but soon came to realize that the sheets in the washer were emitting a highly potent gasoline-like smell.

Although it is cold here in DC, I have windows open and still my whole house smells. I let the wash cycle finish and cannot understand why sheets smell like this, despite where they are made, or how anyone is supposed to sleep in these.

I do not know how I can keep these, no matter how hard it is to find a comparable product.

These sheets are a health hazard. I have no idea what chemical(s) was used in the production of this "bedding", but Martha may consider switching manufacturers. I also Googled "martha stewart sheets and stink" and found many others were experiencing the same phenomena. I was excited to find these sheets on sale, but I cannot imagine the reaction from someone who paid the full retail price of $120.00- to experience this!

Please remedy this issue...I enjoy Martha's work and I want to believe in her branding. This, though, is so over the top that I may be not only returning to Macy's tomorrow, but also to Michael's with all of the M.S. photo albums and pages I recently purchased (about $175 worth).

Thank you for your time and hopefully overwhelming attention to this matter.

----------------------------

Maybe if people send feedback and spend their dollars elsewhere, manufacturers will begin to provide a better product.

Our brand new Martha Stewart flannel sheets from Macy's that were featured in Marth'a TV show stink like cat urine mixed with insect repellent and are completely unacceptable. I think Martha should smell the products she imports from the smelly third world before they are sold in the United States. This is not up to our standards and she should be embarrassed.

I checked the Company store and not everything is US made, in fact it was hard to find what was made in the US.

Dear Green posters;

January 19 2008

I was about to wash my new Martha Stewart flannel sheets, (made in Pakistan)and decided before I tried to get the horrible sickening smell of petroleum/gas/whatever out, I should look online to see if anyone else was posting about this problem.

I had put the new sheets on the bed last night and noticed they made my head ache almost instantly. I thought they smelled like gas/petroleum. But I decided to give them a try, for one reason, they were the new sheets and I didn't have the old ones around!!! I woke up several times at night, wondering if I would be asphyxiated by the smell.

In the morning I had many symptoms common to chemical exposure. I began to research on the web and finally put in something about Martha Stewart sheets toxic chemicals and found the green post. Thankyou.

I was startled, disturbed and angry feeling to find so many others had the exact experience. I too got my sheets from Macy's. I do feel very excited that we could as consumers do something to bring awareness to this issue. I am going to write Macy's as well as Martha Stewart, and not just online. I am sending handwritten letters.

I have bought products from The Company Store in the past, as well as recently, and it seems to me that the quality of their products has deteriorated over the years. Most of their products are now made in China, including the ticking on their comforters, which are then filled in the U.S. I also recently purchased some children's sleepwear from them which, according to the catalog, was to be a "snug fit" design, not treated with chemical flame retardants. When they arrived the tag inside the pajamas stated that they were indeed chemically treated (and made in China). I returned them and requested that the company reimburse the shipping costs, because the product had been misrepresented. They did eventually do so, but I really had to make a fuss about it. We also purchased some outdoor furniture from The Company Store, which also turned out to be made in China, and within 2 weeks the hardware on it had rusted.

Anyhow, Cuddledown, I have found, does sell some high quality European and organic bedding. It can be quite pricey though.

The company I bought my flannel, gasoline-smelling pj's from has said that they will contact the manufacturer to see if they can get to the source of the problem. Since the product was manufactured in Pakistan, I'm guessing whatever happened to stink-up the Martha Stewart sheets is the culprit.

We just recently purchased a bedding set from Big Lots and after washing them the strong oder of gas was so overwhelming that it gave me and my son a flippen headache. They were made in China and it feels like tissue to be honest with you. I am taking them back tomorrow w/out the reciept but I am sure they will give me credit or I will take them to Small Claims Court for the Judge to smell.

I recently purchased some sports bras from Wal-Mart, that were the Fruit of the Loom brand. They were hanging in the open, not in a bag. When I went to wash them I noticed a petroleum smell, but thought they would wash up fresh. Oh brother! My whole washing machine and basement smelled like petro! I had them in with my other delicates and had to rewash them 4 times. The smell never went away and I bagged them up and took them back to Wal-Mart. Now I'm nervous about buying any sports bras. Are there any tips on where to get some without fear of chemicals?

wow, I'm not the only one. I'm in Australia and just bought a fleecy winter blanket (made in china) that is gorgeous looking for my daughter. After a few washes and also drying in the hot sun, it still hasn't helped the awful chemical/synthetic smell. How toxic and terrible to have that around.

I won't be using the blanket and will be searching for Australian organic products. Anyone have any links for Aussie stuff we can buy online?

I'm so over it. Sick of people selling us stuff for top dollar that is basically not able to be used and also detrimental to our health.

I just purchased two new summer pajamas from Herbergers, are Dream Cafe brand, 100% cotton and made in China. One is pink and one yellow/white/pink. When I washed them, a really strong toxic odor filled my laundry room and whole basement. I had experienced this once before about a few years ago when washing new towels. The fume filled the whole lower level of my house it was so strong. I'll never wear the pj's even after washing them because they still smell; they are certainly going back to the store. I am so relieved to find this web site and hear of others who had the same experience. It's a shame this terrible stuff is even being sold. I don't know if all of the chemical ever washes out or not, and I'm not taking chances with my health.

When I became mcs in 1985 it was very hard to find anything that was all cotton. My mother then bought me flannel sheets and I washed them in my bathtub (lived in an apt and could not use the laundry room machines due to the fragrance, etc). The smell coming from those sheets was horrendous. I soaked them in baking soda and vinegar several times with no improvement. I finally threw them out. I started to use Wamsutta chemically untreated sheets - they don't make them anymore - too bad, they were wonderful.

So now I buy untreated sheets from Janice's (catalog company who deals with mcs people). They are a bit expensive but you don't have to have a lot of linens sitting in your linen closet like we all used to do. So to me, it is well worth it.

I found this blog while looking for some information on a pair of jeans my husband bought. They are dark blue dye and smell like cat urine! He is blaming our cat, saying she urinated on them when he tossed them on the closet floor. I disagree because for one thing, they smell all over not just one area (if cat urinated on them would be in one area only).

I also saw one other reference to this on a site but wondered if others have had this experience. I have not washed them yet but hopefully the odor will disappear after I do wash them.

Also I found interesting the sheet/linen stories. I bought some inexpensive sheets because I liked the pattern and they had that petroleum smell. Had to get rid of them.

hello,guys

i bought some camisoles at costco to give as a present(the type that has an enclsed bra),and as i got home,opened the package and smelle it...almost passed out WITH THE STROGEST SMELL OF KEROSENE!!

made in pakistan

i will return it,and let you know what happened

to ask people in the stores to smell the toxic products,a lot of times doesnt do any good,as people are so intoxicated wit their plug ins,laundry detergents,softners,etc,that often their answer is "I CAN SMELL ANYTHING",or" I LIKE MY LAUNDRY TO HAVE A SMELL"

i live in austin,texas,and next to wheatsville,a local co-op,there in a cleaners and laundromat that has a large sign in front of the business,which says NON TOXIC CLEANERS; i called to ask which is the soap they use in their cleaning service,and they told me UNSCENTED ALL DETERGENT

when i tried to explain that UNSCENTED WAS NOT NON TOXIC,my comments were met with impatience and irritability

so,there we go,once more,with the LACK OF REGULATIONS FROM THE FDA,TO THE WORD NON TOXIC,and their policy that " A LITTLE BIT WONT HURT YOU"

in germany,every cosmetic thet you put on your skin,MUST BE EDIBLE

debra,how about an article on the neurotoxins from fragrances (plug ins,candles,detergents,etc?)

by the way,mrs meyers has chemicals in their soaps

thanks miko

I experienced the same odour with flannel sheets a couple years ago. I totally forgot about it till I read this blog! As I remember, I placed them on the bed b4 washing (never again) then had to remove them and wash because the smell was so bad. But, back to the asthmatic child..... does flannel shed more fibers and lint than regular cotton sheets? If so, this could also contribute to status asthmaticus.

One word of caution re. organic cotton:

The cotton tannin (dust) is not removed. I am allergic to dust. I just purchased a lovely oasis green sheet made by High Desert Naturals. I washed it four times and aired it out, outside. My face and eyes sting if I have it on my bed.

I am not sure what is the bigger problem: the pesticides used in cotton farming in countries such as India or the fumigation of products that are exported from some countries. I miss the original Cannon/Fieldcrest that had such lovely cotton sheets that were non-toxic! Hopefully the problem that many of us here have been running into will bring the textile industry back to the U.S.

After reading the post about organic cotton flannel sheets from Gaiam: I'm glad you had no problems - I also bought a sheets there with no problem (although this was years ago when it was Seventh Generation) - however, I bought organic cotton underwear from Gaiam which smelled horrible - like mothballs & unidentified chemicals. (They were made in India). Like many other people that have posted, I washed them, thinking that the smell would go away. I was so committed to having organic cotton garments, that I was willing to try anything to get rid of the smell. If I had bought the underwear at a department store, or if they weren't organic, I would have returned them immediately without washing them, or trying to salvage them. We are paying a premium for these products and shouldn't have to go to these lengths to get a good product. Luckily, I was able to return the underwear for a refund. However, I will never buy any "organic" garments/linens from Gaiam again.

Ive had this problem for years with a number of products. I have found that wig and artificial hair for weaving smells horrible even after it is shampooed numerous times. Many times I have had to throw the wig away because I couldnt rid it of the smell.

I've also had clothing that I couldn't rid of an odor after numerous washings, usually the products are made in another country. This is the price we're paying for cheaper products, out-sourcing and global economy and production. What stinks to us is not a problem to them.

I'm another shocked Martha Stewart flannel sheets customer! What is that chemical smell? I bought two sets (one set beige with red stripes and one set solid red). (And they were also made in Pakistan.) I've washed the first set already, and hung them on the line--hoping the smell would dissipate. I figured it was what is often called "sizing," but thought I'd look on-line quickly to see if I'm the only one who thinks things aren't quite right. What a hassle to have to take these back to Macy's in Union Square San Francisco. To see one of Macy's flagship stores selling a product that already has a history of problems is amazing. Where's the shame? Where's the EPA!!!

Someone in an earlier blog mentioned that the sheets were recalled. Does anyone have any information on this?

Pam in San Francisco

In response to Mary Ann's post on 1/14/08 (I know, a long time ago) very little from the company store is made in the usa. And certainly not their sheets, organic or conventional. I'm searching for bedding and such made in the usa (for maintaining us jobs and manufacturing, and not supporting countries w/low production standards and even poorer human rights standards).

I'd suggest to others to search www.stillmadeinusa.com

I have not purchased from the following site, but they do offer flannel and made in usa www.shopceliarachel.com . Their flannel is polyester, but the knit is 100% cotton.

Why is this so difficult?

instead of spending time,energy,money and complaining in debra's site,and to the companies which DONT CARE,save money,and buy JANICE'S,JANICE'S,AND JANICE'S - specializing in products for chemically sensitive people
remember,sheets and blankets will LAST YEARS = worth the investiment and hassle-free transaction

I would take the sheets that smell back to the store where you bought them and tell them that they smell like gasoline and get your money back. Tape up the package before taking them in and always keep your receipt. I've never had a problem taking anything back even after washing it or if it was in one of those hard to open hard plastic cases that you have to cut with scissors. If more people would return these items the manufacturers would get the drift.

The dyes may be what you are smelling. Usually the darker the dye is the more it will smell. I buy only light colored fabrics and only 100% cotton. Polyester/cotton outgasses and will smell after drying in the dryer.

I buy all organic bedding from either Heart of Vermont or Lifekind . I have asthma, reactive airway disease and multiple chemical sensitivity and have never had a problems with these sheets, blankets or any of their bedding smelling after they are washed. They do have a slight smell when you get them but anything new will have some kind of smell. It washes out with one wash.

Lifekind is a special factory where only organic items are made, they have a special ventilation system to keep the outside air from contaminating the items in the factory, they use formaldehyde free boxes to ship their items in and even the workers can not use scented products on themselves. They will provide samples of materials of their items on request. My only complaint with them is that some items have come and have not been completely sealed in plastic or cellophane. If you are extremely sensitive I would request that they are completely sealed when you order them. Even when I've received things that weren't completely sealed I've not had a problem tolerating them.

I have used several sets of flannel sheets over the years and always loved them. Never noticed a gasoline smell. In the past year I have developed MCS. This year, using those same sheets I've had for years I am extremely uncomfortable in them. My skin starts to feel like it is on fire. I no longer use them and stick to all cotton, non-flannel sheets. The flannel ones are so old I couldn't even tell you where they were purchased or who the maker is.

Unfortunately, organic cotton sheets doesn't work for people with dust allergies because the tannin (cotton dust) isn't removed from organic cotton sheets.

However they used to grow and manufactur cotto sheets in the US--when Cannon and Fieldcrest--were in the U.S. is the way I wish we could go back to. :(

I just bought some flannel sheets from Target. They were Circo brand and pink with bright colors on them. I just put them in the wash so that I could put them on my daughters bed tonight and they stink of GASOLINE!!I'm afriad to put them in the dryer because I'm afraid they will catch on fire! The smell is unbearable and there is no way I'm letting my little girl sleep on these! I'm almost positive Target will not return since they have been washed already. They are the worst at returning items so they are going straight in the trash! What a waste!

I've washed curtains and returned them to Target. Just don't say anthing about them being washed and seal them back up.